DETROIT — With plenty of fans cheering them on in attendance and watching on national television at home, the Central Michigan football team failed to capitalize on the opportunities that mattered most.

And when the Chippewas had an opportunity to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, the Chippewas' leader made a crucial mistake.

Junior Quarterback Cooper Rush threw an interception with less than three minutes remaining and the Chippewas were defeated by Minnesota 21-14 on Monday during the 2015 Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit.

What happened

Trailing 13-7 entering the fourth quarter, CMU's defense got a stop on fourth-and-short and took over on downs near midfield. Ross carried the ball 13 yards for the go-ahead score four plays later as CMU took a 14-13 lead.

Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner responded with a 13-yard touchdown run, plus a two-point conversion, to give the Gophers a 21-14 lead with 4:26 remaining.

Rush had CMU's offense moving in Gopher territory on the ensuing drive, but was picked off by Minnesota's Briean Boddy-Calhoun on third down on the Minnesota 35-yard line, killing the drive.

Starting slow

The Gophers went right down the field on their first drive of the game. Backup running back Rodney Smith broke off more than one impressive big run to gain Minnesota scoring position. The Chippewas responded with a three-play goal-line stand that forced the Gophers to kick a field goal.

After CMU's defense got off the field on third-and-long, Rush led the Chippewas on an 80-yard scoring drive, which he punctuated with a one-yard run to give CMU it's first lead of the game, 7-3.

The Gophers took the lead back on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Leidner to senior wideout KJ Maye, and led 10-7 at halftime.

CMU went three-and-out on the team's first drive of the second half, and Minnesota tacked on a 44-yard field goal on the ensuing drive to take a 13-7 lead midway through the third quarter.

What it means

The Chippewas exceeded most preseason expectations and were one key loss short of a Mid-American Conference West Division Championship this season.

On the biggest stage it has played on all year, CMU failed to measure up to the long-time thorn in the program's side: The Big Ten.

Rush was overwhelmed by Minnesota's pass rush and defensively CMU showed lapses in on-the-fly judgement and technical execution.

Minnesota only led by one score for the majority of the game, and gifted the Chippewas with more than one chance to take the lead during the second half.

But the team from Mount Pleasant couldn't stay out of its own way long enough to come away with a victory.

What's next

Head Coach John Bonamego heads into his first full offseason after leading CMU to a final record of 7-6 during 2015.

The Chippewas return each of their major offensive weapons, most notably quarterback Cooper Rush, who is a senior next season.

On defense, CMU loses leading tackler Kavon Frazier and core linebacker Tim Hamilton to graduation and will need younger players to step up during the offseason in order to keep its reputation as one of the best defensive units in the MAC.

CMU opens the 2016 season at home against FCS school Sept. 1 Presbyterian before showdowns against Power Five schools on the road against Oklahoma State and Virginia. The Chippewas' league schedule will be announced next spring.